Christian Isaacs (BS/ME ’22; MS/ME ‘25), a fourth-year PhD student in mechanical engineering, has been selected for a prestigious internship at NASA Ames Research Center, where he will be working in the Arc Jet Complex on the second-generation miniature arc-jet research chamber (mARCII).
Located in Moffett Field, California, which is 40 miles south of San Francisco, NASA Ames Research Center has led NASA in conducting world-class research and development in aeronautics, exploration technology, and science aligned with the center’s core capabilities.
Isaacs is part of Assistant Professor Damiano Baccarella’s research group in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. His research focuses primarily on measuring and quantifying the gas-surface reaction chemistry between thermal protection materials and high-enthalpy flows.
“I am very excited about this internship because it’s very similar work to what we do here, just on a larger scale,” Isaacs said. “I’m hoping that I can take the knowledge that I’ve gained up to this point at UT and be able to apply it there and hopefully bring back some of the knowledge I gain to the university.”
Isaacs is the second student in Baccarella’s group in as many years to receive an internship at NASA Ames. Mitchell Trotsky recently returned to UT from a four-month stint at the facility.
Isaacs joined Baccarella’s group during his undergraduate studies in 2021after taking a thermodynamics class with Baccarella.
“I really fell in love with hypersonics as I gained more knowledge about it,” he said. “Dr. Baccarella has been an amazing mentor. He is very approachable and very knowledgeable. He’s really helped push us to be the best we can be.”
Isaacs, who will be working with NASA Aerospace Engineer Megan MacDonald during his internship, has considered potentially working for NASA once he completes his PhD degree.
“One thing I’m really grateful for with this internship is that it will give me a foot in the door to get some experience,” Isaacs said. “Then, if I decide to go that route, maybe that’s a door that’ll be open for me.”
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey ([email protected])